COKATO, MN – The funeral service for Mark Roger Braatz, age 49, of Buffalo, will take place today at noon at Cokato Evangelical Lutheran Church. Braatz died Monday, July 26, 2010, from injuries he received in an automobile accident.
He was born July 17, 1961, the son of Roger and Victoria Christensen Braatz.
Mark graduated from Dassel-Cokato High School in 1980.
He was joined in holy marriage to Joleen Clifton Sept. 29, 1994, in Las Vegas.
Mark was employed as a finance manager for an auto dealership, and worked 19 years at Morrie’s, and the last two years at West Suburban Auto.
He enjoyed snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, and being at the cabin, and was a classic car enthusiast. Mark also was fond of spending time with family and friends.
Mark is survived by his loving wife, Joleen Braatz; children Daniel Braatz of Cokato, Adam (Beth Maas) Braatz of Buffalo, and Hope Braatz of Drayton, ND; three stepsons: Josh Friesen of Champlin, Charlie Druar, and Casey Druar, both of Buffalo; mom Victoria Mealey of Cokato; dad Roger (Joanne) Braatz of Buffalo; brother Dave Braatz of Dassel; and sisters Andrea Braatz of Plymouth, and Beth (Chris) Chapman of Rogers.
He is further survived by three nephews, Jaibyne Braatz, Noah and Luke Chapman; three nieces, Courtnie, Jasamyne, and Samaya; half-siblings Dustin Erickson and Brianna Braatz, both of Cokato, and Chantel Braatz of Dassel; grandmother Jeanette Braatz of Litchfield; parents-in-law Harold “Hal” and Bev Clifton of Buffalo; brothers-in-law Harold “Hal” Clifton Jr. and Ben (Toni) Clifton, all of Buffalo; aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.
Mark was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Minnie and Viggo Christensen; and paternal grandfather Andrew Braatz.
Funeral services will take place, today, Friday, July 30 at noon at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato with the Rev. Steve Thorson officiating.
Visitation was Thursday, July 29 from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.; and continued Friday for one hour prior to the services at the church.
Arrangements were by The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo.
Monthly Archive for July, 2010
DASSEL, COKATO, MN – The complete cast and crew of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” which was produced and sponsored by Dassel-Cokato Community Education and Arts Association, pose for a picture on stage in full costume. The show ran from Thursday, July 22 to Sunday, July 25, and had a four-day attendance total of 2,054.
The total attendance for all four nights, and the show itself, greatly pleased everyone, according to director Dave Metcalf. “We had an excellent turnout, and this show was one of the best we’ve done,” he said. “To put it in perspective, we had 50 more people at the Sunday matinee this year than we had total at last year’s show. I think word of mouth brought people in, and we were very pleased.”
Cast photo by Brian Balsaitis
DASSEL, MN – Ken and Pat Benson will be the entertainment tonight (July 29) at the Mushroom Building in Dassel. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with music at 7 p.m.
Refreshments will be served by Dr. Ken Ness’s office. Bring your lawn chairs.
DASSEL, HUTCHINSON, MN – The Meeker County Sheriff’s Office received a call from McLeod County Sheriff’s Office requesting assistance with a pursuit headed northbound from Hutchinson on MN Highway 15 into Meeker County around 9:52 a.m. this morning (July 28), according to a Meeker County Sheriff’s report.
The Minnesota State Patrol was in pursuit of a 2001 Buick Regal, driven by Phillip Jerome Boyer, 30, of Eagle Lake. As the suspect vehicle attempted to pass a 1991 Freightliner semi, driven by Donald McGregor, age 51, of Minnesota Lakes, on the shoulder, Boyer lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the side of the semi trailer and then went into the ditch. The crash occurred at 195th Street and MN Hwy 15, just south of Pigeon Lake. Boyer was not injured as a result of the crash.
Boyer was arrested by the Minnesota State Patrol and transported to the McLeod County Jail and is being held on several traffic violations and fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle.
The McLeod County Sheriff’s Office, Hutchinson Police Department, Meeker County Sheriff’s Office, Dassel Rescue, and Hutchinson Ambulance assisted the Minnesota State Patrol.
Commuters who travel Highway 15 have an opportunity to share input as part of a Highway 15 corridor study tonight (July 28) in Hutchinson from 6 to 8 p.m. at
the Hutchinson Event Center, 1005 Highway 15 South.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation was asked by the Trunk Highway 15 Coalition to conduct a study reviewing safety, mobility, and access issues along the corridor, according to Jarrett Hubbard, Mn/DOT District 8 project manager.
One concern along the highway around the Dassel and Kingston area is the lack of shoulders, Hubbard said.
Another concern is the stretches of highway that make it difficult for passing, he added.
There has also been visibility concerns regarding intersections on county roads and slow-moving traffic, like tractors bringing agricultural products to market.
The purpose is to inform Mn/DOT where these issues lie and to hear from everyday drivers on Highway 15 who see problems in the roadway, Hubbard said.
COKATO, MN – Isabelle Mattson has been chosen to be grand marshal for this year’s Cokoto Corn Carnival parade.
Mattson has lived in Cokato since 1947 when she married the late Gordon Mattson. Together they raised three children, Steven, Susan, and Carol.
Mattson retired in 1990 having worked as the Cokato Elementary School nurse.
Throughout the years, Mattson has been very active in her church and community. She has most recently been very active in the Cokato Area Food Shelf as co-director.
Daughter Carol talks of her mother as seeing things in a positive light with her glass half full instead of half empty.
Just the past month, Mattson was diagnosed with colon cancer and today (July 27) had undergone surgery to remove part of her large intestine.
If Mattson is unable to attend the parade Monday, Aug. 9, her family will represent her.
To follow Mattson during her recovery visit her CaringBridge site at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/isabellemattson
Read more about Mattson in Monday’s Enterprise Dispatch.
Recent Comments
rebel, Anonymous
xyz, yeah right, tired of politics [...]
yeah right, Jim
yeah right
rebel
DC Grandma
Katie Josephson
Shondra Chanel